3of3State Representative Ron Reynolds addresses participants during a panel discussion regarding single member districts for the Ft. Bend ISD Board of Trustees at the Houston Community College, Stafford, TX on June 22, 2017.Photo: Craig Moseley, Staff

He's being challenged in his Fort Bend district by another lawyer, Wilvin Carter, a former assistant attorney general and Fort Bend County assistant district attorney. The district includes Sienna Plantation, Stafford and most of Missouri City. No Republicans are running for this seat so this Democratic primary essentially serves as the general election for District 27.

Carter, 41, is the current president of the Fort Bend County Criminal Bar Association. Voters might remember Carter from when he ran for Fort Bend District Attorney in 2014 — the first Democrat in 20 years to seek the seat.

He currently works as a defense attorney and takes a holistic view of the criminal justice system that informs his larger policy positions.

"If people don't get the proper services, education, wages, then they somehow end up in the criminal justice system, so they're all entwined," he said.

The unfortunate thing about Reynolds is that he is has a strong record for supporting environmental protection and gay rights, but with the possible jail sentence hanging over his head it's hard to support him. He is a lawmaker who has been convicted of breaking the law, which is a breech of trust. Also, practically speaking, how much can he do for his constituents if he's behind bars?